THE United States Southern Command sank another Ecuadorian vessel that it alleged was linked to the criminal group Los Choneros.

Monday’s attack was the latest by the US against boats and vessels in Latin America that it said were involved in drug trafficking.

The joint task force intercepted a floating refuelling station that supported illicit drug trafficking operations at sea in the Eastern Pacific, the Southern Command said in a statement.

It said that the people on board the vessel were removed and would be transferred to Ecuadorian authorities.

The statement also indicated that US forces continue to conduct “operations to dismantle the logistical networks that fuel drug trafficking in the western hemisphere.”

Ecuadorian authorities did not immediately comment.

The sunk vessel, whose name has not been released, was the fifth targeted by US forces in less than two weeks.

At least 227 people have been killed in 68 US government strikes that began against boats in the Caribbean and Pacific more than a year ago.

Critics have questioned the overall legality of the boat strikes as well as their effectiveness.

In at least one case, Ecuadorian authorities said they had no evidence that a survivor of one of the strikes had participated in any criminal activity.